Not really a a photographer of cars or at all really. TBH I only ended up with an DSLR because I thought those small digi camera with 20megapixels where crap and seemed to be getting worse! Had a cousins wedding coming up so got a 500d second hand with less than 10k actuations for £250! That was like 3-4 years ago. Got a shot of a kit lens of a friend. Thought the camera was duff. He then give me a shot of a 85mm f2.8 lens and that was much much better. I tend to take photo's of people indoors and the lighting is generally pants. Got a 50mm f1.8 and a sigma 17-70mm. It was f2.8 at 17mm but went to about 4.5 soon after. Again rubbish for indoors. Didn't get on with it that well although colours where really nice.
I only got that one since people say oh f4.5 is fine blah blah, Not for me even with the iso jacked up still having trouble getting a good image. So finally got the tammy 17-50mm f2.8 non stabilizing. Got it for about £150 second hand. Honestly its pin sharp, gives lovely detail and f2.8 throughout is great for indoor night shooting. It means my family can take pictures with no camera shake and so on which is handy too.
I pretty much shot everything on the 50mm f1.8 for ages. I don't do composed images, I don't bother with photoshopping etc. I kwow its better but I quite like the raw feel. At my cousins wedding the photographer took the photos that where expected but everyone said my photo's captured the mood and what was happening better which I was happy about.
Things I have learned but are probably wrong though, learn to shoot on a fixed lens. It will take a little guess work out and make you work the shot more IMO. Never ever buy brand new. If you buy a camera body for £1000. Its worth £500 next week. If you buy a second hand body for £500 its worth £475 next week. I also disagree with spending money on the lens. It makes all the difference. A guy I work with has a 50d and he bangs on about how good it is and blah blah. Everyone says my picture quality was better and better lit. Why? Better lens. Also coming back to the 2nd hand thing you buy a new lens for £600 its worth £400 tomorrow so if you don't like it reasons change etc your £200 down. But a second hand lens for £400 it will be worth that all day long if you keep it nice.
All IMO of course and I should say the kit lens isn't pap. But for what I need my camera for it isn't the most suitable. Also I'm terrible at taking photos. Like really bad my brother is actually better but I quite enjoy it so I do it